Domestic yak

At the Detroit ZooThe Detroit Zoo is home to female domestic yak, Novus. She was born at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas in 1999 and arrived at the Zoo a year later. She is described by her keepers as smart and enjoys being groomed. She can be found in the Barnyard with the belted Galloway steer, Scottish Highland steer, miniature donkeys, Thoroughbred horses, pigs and other barnyard animals.

DescriptionEquipped with a heavy build and sturdy frame, the domestic yak has humped shoulders, short legs and rounded hooves. Both male and female yaks have horns. The horns of the male sweep out from the sides of the head and then curve forward with an upward tilt; they typically range from 19 to 39 inches in length. The horns of a female are smaller, only 11 to 25 inches in length, and have a more upright shape.

Scientific name: Bos grunniens grunniensContinent: Central AsiaHabitat: The domestic yak is most commonly found in alpine meadows, alpine steppes and desert steppes.Size: 11 feet in length; up to 6.5 feet tall at the shoulderWeight: 670-1,210 poundsDiet: The domestic yak is an herbivore, feeding on lichens, grasses and tubers. Since a domestic yak's stomach cannot digest grains, it often moves to fresh pastures to feed.Reproduction: Gestation eight months; single offspringLifespan: 23 years

FUN FACTS

In contrast from the wild form, the domestic yak makes frequent grunting noises and is therefore called the "grunting ox".